What Airstream can I tow?

[bono]

There was a question mark at the end, if you did not notice. Regardless, why did you mention 35 km/h and not 37 km/h?

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

circle where I said 35 was max.....

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Nothing like a friendly debate!

I guess I should not have put that picture up. I was hoping to add a bit of humor to this topic but instead it appears that I added gasoline to this smouldering topic!

What...you don't appreciate the rib'n?

Bob
🇺🇸

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

What...you don't appreciate the rib'n?

Bob
🇺🇸

I think this is great fun!

This is the most active forum I have been a member of, and it only took me spending the kids college fund on an aluminum Twinkie that we will all eventually live in

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

I think this is great fun!

This is the most active forum I have been a member of, and it only took me spending the kids college fund on an aluminum Twinkie that we will all eventually live in

That's the spirit.

Bob
🇨🇦

[mtbmitch]

Originally Posted by BayouBiker

And on those cobblestones at 35Kph I'm sure they do just fine. In Texas at 70 or Wyoming at 65 mph, it will be white knuckle until something lets loose.

Plus throw in a density altitude of 9000 ft in the summer time in Wyoming across I-80 and one would have some challenges with the semis going past you at 75 MPH.

[jeffmc306]

Since this post has left the rails I don’t feel bad about piling on.

My oldest son stopped by and asked to borrow our GT for the weekend. “Can I tow with it with my Challenger Scat Pack?”

Then he sends me a marketing photo for the 2021 Durango Hellcat with 710 HP and 8700 lbs towing capacity. No mention of payload... Man, those marketing guys love a shiny AS for their ads.

[PB_NB]

Sounds like we need a "0 to 60" thread! Or perhaps a "quarter mile" thread!

How fast we can merge and get into the fast lane should be one of the stats we track!

It would make for great discussions around the campfire!

[jeffmc306]

PB_NB, I wonder if the guys over at Fast Lane Trucks could add those metrics to their “Worlds Toughest Towing Tests- Ike Gautlet”? They’re already doing the merge, just not timing it.

For me, it’s not as much about speed as it is timing the entry and other drivers watching ahead for merging traffic.

[Dana Kohut]

6’6” and has a Johnson the size of . . . .

It would simply be nice if manufacturers would honestly tell you how much your vehicle could actually tow and stop trying to sell trucks to people who don’t need them (don’t get me wrong, I love trucks, but I don’t enjoy being lied to). So what do I know about the science of towing, nothing. Heck, I‘m a tax accountant, but having to read tax law all the time, what I do know is research. So when I had a question about towing I simply tracked down the most knowledgeable people in the field, and that is CanAm. Why would I make a decision on towing based on what Mr. Imagination with his 6’6” Johnson had to say? If you want to know how to invest you consult Warren Buffet, if you want to know how to tow, you talk to CanAm.

[BayouBiker]

As you say, it's all about what question you have. The knowledge and bias determines the accuracy of the answer. Sales people know how to sell so don't ask them about technical capability. Chevrolet technicians know GM's best so don't ask them if a Dodge or Porsche is better. Everyone with a product to sell, by human nature, will talk up their product, even CanAm. You get the best advice when you're not in a time pinch and you ask for multiple opinions. It's one of the things this forum provides.

[TontoFC]

Have you looked into an overland trailer? Small but rugged

[HClews]

We tow our 23-FB with a Dodge Durango. Been across the country and up to 10,000 ft, all has gone smoothly - no problems whatsoever. We meet people all the time who are suspicious of our puny TV, but I guess we're one of the minority who doesn't feel the need for a big pickup to tow our Airstream.
Incidentally, we love our 23. It has everything the bigger models have condensed into a smaller, lighter package.

[mtbmitch]

Nice tow vehicle. I agree with not needing a pickup. We tow with a van ourselves. Nice to keep stuff out of sight and out of the rain such as nice bicycles.



QUOTE=HClews;2385986]We tow our 23-FB with a Dodge Durango. Been across the country and up to 10,000 ft, all has gone smoothly - no problems whatsoever. We meet people all the time who are suspicious of our puny TV, but I guess we're one of the minority who doesn't feel the need for a big pickup to tow our Airstream.
Incidentally, we love our 23. It has everything the bigger models have condensed into a smaller, lighter package. [/QUOTE]

[BayouBiker]

I agree, the Durango is a nice fit for a 23ft trailer, particularly with a good sway control WD hitch like the one you have and a bit of extra pressure in the rear tires.

[azeeb]

Back to the original question...

I’m towing a 25FB with a gladiator rubicon.



One propane tank and lithium battery conversion to get my loaded tongue weight down to 750 lbs. I’m in Michigan where it’s pretty flat. I would probably want something smaller if I was in the mountains all the time.

[PB_NB]

Originally Posted by azeeb

Back to the original question...

I’m towing a 25FB with a gladiator rubicon.



One propane tank and lithium battery conversion to get my loaded tongue weight down to 750 lbs. I’m in Michigan where it’s pretty flat. I would probably want something smaller if I was in the mountains all the time.

Dropping a tank and switching to lithium is a great way to drop some tongue weight.

You said that you are at 750 TW now. Do you know what your trailer weight is sitting at? I am curious to know what the percentage (tongue weight to trailer weight) you have here. I like to keep mine near 12 to 13 percent to best fit my tow vehicle.

What hitch are you using for this setup?

Any pics of the setup showing everything all hooked up?

Thanks!

[BayouBiker]

For inexperienced folks keep in mind ideal tongue weight for best stability is 15%. If your tow vehicle is light relative to the trailer dropping down to 12% will help the tow vehicle but increase sway tendency so be sure you have a WD hitch with excellent sway control if you drop the tongue weight. Don't ever go below 10% on tongue weight and speeds over 35-40 mph.

[azeeb]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

Dropping a tank and switching to lithium is a great way to drop some tongue weight.

You said that you are at 750 TW now. Do you know what your trailer weight is sitting at? I am curious to know what the percentage (tongue weight to trailer weight) you have here. I like to keep mine near 12 to 13 percent to best fit my tow vehicle.

What hitch are you using for this setup?

Any pics of the setup showing everything all hooked up?

Thanks!

If I have to carry freshwater I’m at 6500 lbs. I try to avoid that if I can, so usually more like 6200-6300. We travel pretty light. I think GVWR on my trailer is 7300.

I’m using a blue ox sway pro.

Here are a couple pictures hooked up. Neither are on perfectly flat ground, but you can get an idea.

[PB_NB]

That looks quite level!

Really good to see the rear of the Jeep up there and not dragging on the ground. You would expect a more compliant suspension in an offroad vehicle. It looks like you have figured out the magic formula. And you still have some head room in your loads!

How does the cargo load figure into all this?

[azeeb]

Originally Posted by PB_NB

That looks quite level!

Really good to see the rear of the Jeep up there and not dragging on the ground. You would expect a more compliant suspension in an offroad vehicle. It looks like you have figured out the magic formula. And you still have some head room in your loads!

How does the cargo load figure into all this?

Mine is a Rubicon, so payload is lowered due to the extra skid plates / armor it has underneath. GVWR is 6250 lbs. Sticker on mine says payload is 1227 lbs. I don't carry much cargo at all because of that. This trip it was my wife and I, my two 6 year olds, and the kids bikes in the bed. Probably only about 500 lbs total in the truck.

Just to be clear, I know I am pushing the limits with this combo. I'm being very cautious about it. I've been very careful about how I set the hitch up, how I load the trailer, how I load the truck, etc. I have a fair bit of experience towing. I wouldn't recommend someone new to towing go out and buy a gladiator and a trailer as big as mine. For someone with experience, I think it can be done safely. A 23' or smaller would be a better fit, though. I considered downsizing airstreams, but decided to try my 25FB for a while to see how it did. So far I'm happy with it. The gladiator exceeded my towing expectations.

Time will tell how the gladiator handles the extra wear and tear. I really don't tow that many miles. Maybe 1000-2000 miles a year between the airstream and an equipment trailer. I downsized from a GMC 2500 diesel because I don't tow enough miles to justify it. Driving a 3/4 ton the rest of the year was a pain in my town, especially with kids and trying to navigate school drop offs. I started having emissions trouble from too many short in town trips and not enough time for re-gens. Plus I just wanted to go back to driving a Jeep. I've had a couple others in the past, and they have been my favorite vehicles.